LIGNITES OF BRANDON, VERMONT 637 
its age became at once the subject of speculation. From purely 
geological data Hitchcock concluded that it must be Pliocene, or 
possibly still newer Tertiary in age, while Lesquereux, from a con- 
sideration of the flora and its general resemblance to that of 
Oeningen, inclined to place it in the Miocene. Dana has sug- 
gested that it may possibly be as old as the Eocene, a conclusion 
which later investigation will probably not sustain, 
LIGNITE 
The mine mentioned by Professor Hitchcock has long since 
fallen into neglect, and is now almost entirely filled up. The min- 
ing of iron was stopped more than thirty years ago and the only 
industry remaining is the mining and manufacture of mineral 
paints. The only trace remaining of this extensive lignitic de- 
posit is the mass of minute fragments scattered about the mouth 
of the shaft, and among which, by long and careful search, a few 
fruits are still to be found. Fora description of the appearance of 
the lignite as it appeared when first taken from the mine, recourse 
must be had to Hitchcock’s description, which is as follows: 
‘‘ The greater part of the carbon of this deposit is in a condition 
between that of peat and bituminous coal. It is of a deep brown 
color, and nearly every trace of organic structure, save in the lig- 
nite and fruits, is obliterated. It burns with great facility with a 
moderate draught, and emits a bright yellow flame, but without 
bituminous odor. 
“Interspersed through the mass of carbonaceous matter 
above described occurs numerous masses of lignite. In all cases 
Which have fallen under my observation they are the broken por- 
tions of stems or branches of trees and shrubs, varying in size from 
that of a few lines to a foot and a half in diameter. They all ap- 
pear to have been drift wood. This lignite, in all cases, retains 
and exhibits upon a first fracture its organic structure. Yet gen- 
erally it is quite brittle, and when broken across the fibers, it has 
the aspect of very compact coal, which admits of a good polish.” 
The largest specimen obtained by Professor Hitchcock was 
four feet in length and sixteen inches in largest diameter. It is 
now in the museum of Amherst College. The largest specimen 
in my possession was given me by Dr. D. W. Prime, of Brandon. 
